Coffee Talk, the REAL scoop on the Caffeine Controversy

The US is becoming an uber “yang” culture.  Everywhere it seems, people are loud, anxious, rushed, aggressive, and sometimes hostile.  Take the rise in horn blowing drivers as but one example.  Folks in the US also tend to brag about how much they get done and how little rest they get.

It is interesting to then note that 90% of Americans also consume caffeine everyday, including children.  Caffeine comes in many many forms, coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks and smoothies and herbs like Guarana, Kola Nut, and Yerba Mate. Some herbs contain even more caffeine than coffee.

Coffee and caffeine research is confusing to most consumers.  On its positive side, coffee and tea are major sources of antioxidants for some people.  In very small amounts caffeine may be helpful in mental and sports focus and performance. Conflicting research suggests negative effects on cardiac health, blood pressure, sleep, diabetes, digestive disorders and liver health.  Other research suggests it may be helpful in actual liver disease.

Fact is, most research on caffeine is observational that is: studies which attempt to establish relationships based on consumer surveys and disease tracking, not necessarily the best way to establish cause and effect.

Here's what I know for certain about it:

First, make no mistake, caffeine in any form is a DRUG.  It is an addictive central nervous stimulant that is typically detoxified in 3 to six hours, sometimes longer but more about that later.

As is the case with ANY DRUG, usage becomes habituated over time, that is more and more of the substance is required to get the same effect.  This impact is gradual and insidious for most people.  When the amount ingested increases its side effects rise as well: increased blood pressure, anxiety, irritability, heart palpitations and insomnia or disturbed sleep, and fatigue.

Second, over time caffeine ultimately wears the body out.  In Chinese medical theory caffeine is “false energy” as opposed to nutrition which is true energy.  Again over time, caffeine will cause depletion of real energy.

Thirdly, while most authorities including the FDA state that 2-300mgs of caffeine per day are safe for most people everyone is different.  I have also identified subsets of people in my practice who I believe are better off not consuming caffeine.  These people are:

Adrenal Deficient People.  People who have crashed and burnt after being under chronic stress for long periods will need to forgo the java in order to recover.

Gastro Intestinal Disorders.  CNS speeds up every process in the body if you suffer from IBS, GERD, heartburn, or inflammatory bowel disorders like Crohn's and Colitis, avoid caffeine as it will worsen symptoms.

People who are insulin sensitive or resistant.  Being a stimulant caffeine sets blood sugars and insulin on an aberrant ride.  Getting these conditions managed properly involves avoidance of caffeine and most sugars.

People with inflammatory disorders, like ACNE.  Unknown to most, caffeine is very heating to the body. While NOT the cause, it will accelerate inflammation in the body.

Anxious overwrought people should abstain from caffeine as it worsens this condition and perpetuates a negative cycle.

People who detoxify slowly due to other health problems like those above or due to a “sluggish” or slow liver or intestinal dysbiosis, an area I specialize in.  These people are going to experience many more detrimental effects from caffeine.  Also recognize that VERY few of you are using caffeine in the amounts recommended by health authorities.

A few months ago, my body began rejecting my AM espresso…it just didn't want it anymore and I heeded that.  While I had no withdrawal symptoms many people can experience some symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, irritability, anxiety and even depression.

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Best of Health!

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Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

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Arlington Heights, IL

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